Megham - Classical dance of The East & The West May 9, 2009

Megham - Classical dance of The East & The West. 'Megham' a unique and creative performance has as its central theme is the relationship between people and the rain, the panorama of monsoon through the medium of Bharata Natyam, Modern Dance, theatre, visuals and music, maintaining the purity of each art form.Bharata Natyam is one of the Classical forms of Indian dance based on the Natya Shastra. Modern dance is based on Classical Western Ballet. It is a form that was born to allow more freedom of expression and movement to the dancer when compared to the very strict codes of Ballet.Pure dance sequences in Bharata Natyam depict the feelings that rain evokes and the tapestry of Nature in monsoon. Little Krishna's excitement at the sight of rain takes us down memory lane to our younger days and our plodding through puddles. Megham also portrays the intense connection between the farmer and rain, his devotion, wonder, awe and respect for Lord Varuna. Megham reveals the power and elan of Lord Varuna as he creates dark clouds, thunder, lightning and rain. The sight of the dark clouds and rain brings fond memories of Lord Krishna to Radha.Megham is an exposition that brings to the viewer all facets of rain and the different emotions that surge within people when they hear the rumble of thunder and see the flash of lighting and feel the drops of rain.Megham is a duet production with Rukmini Vijayakumar and Parshwanath Upadhye.Rukmini Vijayakumars' dance training started at age eight in Bharatanatyam under Guru Smt. Padmini Rao of the Ponnaiah Lalithakala Academy . From 2001, Rukmini's intense pursuit of Bharatanatyam continued under Guru Smt. Narmada (an awardee of The Sangeeth Natak Academy). She has studied Karanas and the Natyashastra with Guru Smt. Sundari Santhanam, (a senior disciple of Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam).Rukmini has performed in several festivals around India including the Khajuraho festival; The Kalidasa Samaroah at Ujjain , The Chidambaram Natyanjali Festival, Uttaradhra Modhera festival, the Dasara Festival at Mysore , the Badal Raag Samroah at Bharat Bhavan, Bhopal .Rukmini holds a bachelor's degree in Classical Ballet and Classical Modern Dance from the Boston Conservatory a performing arts institution in the USA . Her initiation inWestern Classical Ballet was under Yana Lewis (from the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing, Britain ). Rukmini has also studied acting at the New York Film Academy .She has performed several Repertory pieces under the direction of Jennifer Scanlon (of the original Limon Company), including Missa Brevis and There is a Time (solo A time to laugh). Her original work and choreography Rest was staged at the Boston Conservatory. Rukmini's theatrical interests extend to the world of films. She has completed two films in Hindi & Tamil with Nana Patekar ("Cinema") ("Bommalattam") and has finished another Tamil movie ("Ananda Thandavam").

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